Launching "16-Days of Activism: Adolescent and Children’s Awareness Campaign 2023" with the regional programme Partnerships for Prevention of gender-based violence in Southern Africa (PfP)

On Friday 24 November 2023, in anticipation of the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (GBV), Agape Youth Movement  in partnership with the regional programme Partnerships for Prevention of Gender-based Violence in Southern Africa (PfP) implemented by GIZ and its partners, the Department of Basic Education , the Department of Government Communication and Information System, UNICEF South Africa- Child Protection, and the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, launched a child-led social media campaign on the 16 Days of Activism. The "16-Days of Activism: Adolescent and Children’s Awareness Campaign 2023" features video contributions of children and adolescents in support of meaningful interventions to prevent GBV amongst their peers. At the launch, a powerful keynote address was held by Wanga Sadiki, Provincial President and member of the Representative Council of Learners (RCL). In her speech, she highlighted the negative impact of GBV on young people, appealing the partners in the room and to her peers to actively strive for a conducive environment without violence to realise their full potential.

The objectives of the campaign are as follows:

  1. Raise awareness: to increase awareness among adolescents and children about GBV, in particular against children, emphasising its consequences and impact on individuals and communities.
  2. Empower knowledge: to provide children with essential knowledge and information on the early prevention of GBV.
  3. Support caregivers: to offer guidance and resources for promoting safe and respectful behaviours.
  4. Safe online spaces: to inform children and parents about the responsible and safe use of online spaces to prevent internet mediated GBV.
  5. Highlight support systems: To showcase available support systems for assistance and guidance in cases of GBV.
  6. Educate on reporting: To facilitate children’s access to reporting processes and channels for incidents of GBV.
  7. Promote child leadership: To encourage child-led initiatives, empowering children to be advocates for change.

The videos of the campaign can be accessed on Social Media Platforms of Agape Youth Movement (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube) and shared.

Agape Youth Movement is a youth-led non-profit organisation with the mission of providing support and strengthening the leadership agency and participation of high school learners, by implementing programmes and activities in all South African provinces. The organisation is a partner of PfP.  The regional programme supports supports GBV prevention interventions in South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia.

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